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Popular Culture And The Believers!

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Popular Culture And The Believers:

[Believers Ask Allaah For Firmness And Do Not Mind Being Labelled Strange Whilst Adhering to Unadulterated Path of The Prophets]

Contemporary_Popular_Culture


Read: Issue Which Arise After The Time of Revelation For Which There Is No Specific Text: Al-Masaalih Al-Mursalah and How Islam Is Applicable In Every Age: By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him]

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/issues-which-arise-after-the-time-of-revelation-for-which-there-is-no-specific-text-al-masalih-al-mursalah-and-how-islam-is-applicable-in-every-age/

Tawaaf Around Graves, Stroking Them With One’s Hands And Seeking Blessings From Them- By Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh [may Allaah preserve him] said:

Tawaaf [Circumambulation] around a grave, stroking them (with one’s hands) and seeking blessings from them are acts of shirk. Circumambulation is an act of worship and it has not been legislated in any (other place) besides the Ka’bah and likewise walking between Safaa and Marwa is (only legislated at Safaa and Marwa).

Stroking (graves), seeking blessings from them and hoping to be benefited – in this life and the next – by way of such acts is (tantamount to) deification. It is similar to what the pre-Islamic idolaters used to do with their gods. Whoever hopes (for reward, blessings etc) through (these acts of worship at the) graves, then indeed he has exalted that which Allaah has not legislated to be exalted.

The proof to show that these practices are acts of Shirk is the hadeeth of Abee Waaqid Al-Laythee [may Allaah be pleased with him] who said, ”We went out with the Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] to the (military) campaign to Hunayn, while we were new converts from disbelief to (Islaam). The idol worshippers had a lote tree in (whose vicinity) they used to stay and hang their weapons, and it (i.e. this lote-tree) was called Dhaat Anwaat. So when we went pass a tree, we said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Set up a Dhaat Anwat for us just as they have a Dhaat Anwaat’. So the Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, ‘Allaahu Akbar! This is a path that has proceeded (from the people of the past). By Allaah in whose Hand my soul is! You have stated just as the children of Israa’eel stated to Moosaa [peace be upon him], ‘O Moosaa! Make for us Ilaahan (a god) as they have aalihah (gods)’. He (Moosaa) said: ‘Verily, you are a people who know not (the Majesty and Greatness of Allah and what is obligatory upon you, i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone, the One and the Only God of all that exists)’”. [Reported by Ahmad and Tirmidhee and it is a sound hadeeth.]

Those (new Muslims) wanted to perform that act of worship in that particular place and to seek blessings; so the Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] referred to what they sought after as worship of another deity besides Allaah. That (act they sought after) is a means to Shirk, but after the Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] clarified the affair for them, they turned in repentance and obedience to (Allaah and His Messenger). Seeking blessings from graves, circumambulation round them and stroking them are more severe (acts of shirk and sin) than what those (new Muslims) sought after.

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Min’dhaar Fee Bayaani Katheer Minal Akhtaa Ash-Shaa’i’ah page: 11]

Muslims Around The World Observe Holy Night of Laylat Al-Raghaib – [A Brief Reminder to Muslim Journalists at Daily Sabah (Turkish Newspaper)]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The following statement was posted by the Turkish Newspaper Daily Sabah [may Allaah direct its Muslim journalists to every good, repel every evil from them and guide them to the authentic Sunnah, and also guide its Non-Muslim journalists to Islaam and the Sunnah] Aameen. Title: Muslims around the world observe holy night of Laylat al-Raghaib:

 

First, we remind our Turkish Muslim brothers at Daily Sabah about some few principles related to worship in Islaam.

Al-Allaamah Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbaad [may Allaah preserve him] said:

Al-Ibaadah [Worship]: It is a comprehensive term for everything that Allaah loves and is pleased with, including statements and deeds, apparent [i.e. physical actions of the limbs] and unapparent [beliefs concealed in the heart]. This is the best of what has been stated regarding the definition of worship.

Worship has great importance because Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] created the Khalq [Mankind and Jinn], sent the Messengers and revealed the Books in order to command them to worship Him and forbid them from worshipping others besides Him. Allaah [Glorified Be He] said: [وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ – And I (Allah) created not the Jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).” Meaning: Allaah created them in order to command them to worship Him (alone) and forbid them from disobeying Him. Allaah [Glorified be He] said:

[وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ – And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah). [16:36]

Allaah [Glorified Be He] said: [وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ – And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad) but We inspired him (saying): La ilaaha illaa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah), so worship Me (Alone and none else)]. [21:25]

Two conditions must be fulfilled in order for an act of worship to be accepted; the first of the two conditions is that the act of worship must be done sincerely for Allaah, and secondly the act of worship must be in agreement with the Sunnah of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]. The act of worship has to be done sincerely for the sake of Allaah (alone) and none else is to be associated as a partner with Allaah in worship. [Likewise] the act of worship must be done in conformity with what the Messenger came with [i.e. the Qur’aan and the Sunnah].

This is what the Shahaadah (لا إله إلا الله محمدا رسول الله) necessitates; because (لا إله إلا الله) necessitates that acts of worship must be carried out sincerely for the sake of Allaah alone. And (محمدا رسول الله) necessitates that acts of worship must be carried out in conformity with what was revealed to the noble Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]. Therefore, Allaah is not to be worshipped with bidah, newly invented matters in Religion and evil acts, for which Allaah [The Most High] has sent down no authority; rather acts of worship must be in conformity with the Sunnah of the noble Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam].

If any of these two conditions or both of them are not fulfilled, then indeed the act of worship will be rejected by Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]. Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَقَدِمۡنَآ إِلَىٰ مَا عَمِلُواْ مِنۡ عَمَلٍ۬ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ هَبَآءً۬ مَّنثُورً

And We shall turn to whatever deeds they disbelievers, polytheists] did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust] [Soorah Al-Furqaan. Ayah 23]

And the noble Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said:

مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌ

He who innovates something in this matter of ours [i.e., Islam] that is not of it will have it rejected [by Allah].”[Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Number 2697] [Saheeh Muslim. Number 1718]

And in another wording of this hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim the Prophet said:

مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَد

He who does an act (of worship) which we have not commanded (i.e. not commanded by the Prophet), will have it rejected.

And he [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said:

فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ يَعِشْ مِنْكُمْ فَسَيَرَى اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا، فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِسُنَّتِي وَسُنَّةِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ الْمَهْدِيينَ، عَضُّوا عَلَيْهَا بِالنَّوَاجِذِ، وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَمُحْدَثَاتِ الْأُمُورِ؛ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ

Verily he lives long among you will see a lot of differing, so you must keep to my Sunnah and to the Sunnah of the Khulafaa ar-Rashideen [the rightly guided caliphs]. Adhere to it with your molar teeth (i.e. adhere to it firmly). And beware of newly invented matters [in the religion], for every newly invented matter [in the religion] is a bidah [innovation in the religion], and every bidah is misguidance. [Abu Dawood. Number 4607] [Tirmidhee. Number 2676]

The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] clarified – in the hadeeth about the seventy three sects amongst whom seventy-two sects will enter the hell fire and one sect will be saved-that the saved sect are those who adhere to the path him and his noble companions adhered to.

Imaam Maalik [rahimahullaah] said: “The latter part of this Ummah [i.e. those who will come after the Salaf] will not be rectified except by way of that which rectified it’s earlier part [i.e. the Salaf].’’ And he [rahimahullaah) said: ‘’Whoever innovates a bidah in Islaam and considers it to be something good, then indeed he has claimed that Muhammad betrayed the Risaalah (i.e. the message he was entrusted with); because Allaah said: ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ – This day, I have perfected your religion for you]. Therefore, what was not part of the religion at that time [i.e. during the time of the Messenger] cannot be part of the religion today (i.e. after his departure from this world).” [Al-Itisaam of Imaam Shaatibee 1/28]

It is not enough for a person to say: “I am going to do this act of worship even though it was not (performed by) the Prophet because my intention is pure and good.” The evidence (against this statement) is that when it reached the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] that a man amongst his noble companions slaughtered the Eed sacrifice before the Eed Salaah, he [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said to him: شَاتُكَ شَاةُ لَحْمٍ– “Your (slaughtered sheep was just mutton (not a sacrifice).”[Saheeh Bukhaari. Number: 5556]; meaning: It is not considered Eed sacrifice because it was not carried out in conformity with my Sunnah. Therefore, what is in conformity with the Sunnah is that the Eed sacrifice is done after the Eed Salaah; but as for sacrificing before the Salaah, then indeed it is outside its specified time and will not be regarded as (Eed sacrifice).

Al-Haafidh said in Fat-hul Baaree (10/17): “Shaikh Abu Muhammad Bin Abu Hamzah said: This hadeeth (establishes the fact that) if an action (i.e. an act of worship) is done with a sincere intention, it is still not (considered) righteous unless it is in conformity with the legislated divine revelation. [An Excerpt from أثر العبادات في حياة المسلم pages: 1-2]

Second, what do the scholars of Islam say about this so-called Laylatul Raghaa’ib?

Imaam An-Nawawi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The well-known Salaah (prayer) that is known as Salaatul Raghaa’ib [the Raghaa’ib prayer] – which consists of twelve Rak’ats and is performed between Maghrib and Isha on the night before the first Friday in the month of Rajab and the hundred Rak’ats performed on the night of the 15th of Shabaan – are two religious innovations. They are repugnant and evil [i.e. becauae they are not from the acts of worship legislated in the Islamic legislation] and one should neither be deceived due to their mention in the book Quwwatul Quloob and Ihyaa Uloom Ad-Deen nor due to their mention in narrations, because all of that Iis false. And do not be deceived by some of those people to whom the ruling regarding these prayers is ambiguous (or doubtful), so he judged them to be recommended, because indeed they are mistaken. Shaikhul Islaam Abu Muhammad Abdur Rahmaan Bin Ismaa’eel Al-Maqdisee has written a precious book showing the falsity of these prayers and he did well. [Al-Majmoo 3/548]

Ibn Al-Haaj Al-Maalikee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “One of the religious innovations that has been initiated in this noble month of Rajab is the prayer of Raghaa’ib on the night before the first day of Jumu’ah in the central mosques and the other mosques, so the people gather in some of the central mosques and the other mosques in the various regions to perform this religious innovation. They openly perform it in congregation and behind an Imaam in the mosques were the five daily prayers are performed as if it is a prayer that has been legislated in Islaam. But this prayer – according to the judgement in Imaam Maalik’s school of jurisprudence- is forbidden, because indeed those who came before us (i.e. the Prophet’s companions) never did so and all good is found in following them [may Allaah be pleased with them]”. [Al-Madkhal 1/294]

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Neither Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] performed this prayer nor anyone amongst the Sahaabah (i.e. the companions of Allaah’s Messenger), neither the Taabi’een (i.e. the second generaation who adhered to the path of the Sahaabah) nor the Imaams of the Muslims. Neither did Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] show a desire for it nor did any of the pious predecessors, nor the Imaams of Islaam and nor did they mention specific virtues for this night. The narrations that have been transmitted and attributed to Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] are a lie and fabrication based on the consensus of those who are specialists in this field [of hadeeth science]. This is why the Muhaqqi’qeen scholars [i.e. those scholars who are firmly grounded in a subject matter of the religion, who study the difference of opinion or differing in a subject matter, gather the proofs, examine the proofs in depth and compare them. Then they mention the affair that is established based on sound proof, clarify why those proofs are the strong ones, its different types and why that which opposes is weak or fabricated] have stated that this affair [i.e. these innovated acts during Rajab and Shaban] are forbidden and not recommended”. [Al-Fataawa Al-kubraa 2/262]

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] also said, “As for establishing prayer – in congregation – with a specific number of Rak’ats and a determined type of recitation in a specific time, such as these prayers that are being enquired about – the Salaatul Raghaa’ib during the night before the first Jumu’ah of Rajab, the Al-Fiyah (1) in the beginning of Rajab and the middle of Shabaan, the 27th night in the month of Rajab and other than them, this is not legislated based on the consensus of the Imaams of Islaam, as it has been established from the Imaams of the religion who are considered to be reliable in religious affairs and are people of sound and precise understanding. The likes of this prayer is not initiated except by an ignoranus – an innovator in religious affairs and opening the door to it necessitates an alteration of the sound and legislated acts of worship and rites, and thus one receives a share of (deeds of those) who legislate that which Allaah has not legislated. [Al-Fataawaa Al-Kubraa 2/239]

NB: The Al-Fiyah: This innovated prayer and what is similar to it is well-known to some of us who were upon the innovated Soofi paths. It is performed by some people on Shabaan 15th. They either perform 100 Rak’ats and in every Rak’ah Surah Al-Ikhaas is recited 10 times or they perform 10 Rak’ats and Surah Al-Ikhlaas is recited a 100 times in every Rak’ah.

Finally, we conclude with a statement of Imaam Maalik and Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have upon them and all the scholars of Islaam] which have already been quoted earlier. Imaam Maalik [rahimahullaah] said: “The latter part of this Ummah [i.e. those who will come after the Salaf] will not be rectified except by way of that which rectified it’s earlier part [i.e. the Salaf].’’ And he [rahimahullaah) said: ‘’Whoever innovates a bidah in Islaam and considers it to be something good, then indeed he has claimed that Muhammad betrayed the Risaalah (i.e. the message he was entrusted with); because Allaah said: ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ – This day, I have perfected your religion for you]. Therefore, what was not part of the religion at that time [i.e. during the time of the Messenger] cannot be part of the religion today (i.e. after his departure from this world).” [Al-Itisaam of Imaam Shaatibee 1/28]

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said: The likes of this prayer is not initiated except by an ignoramus – an innovator in religious affairs, and opening the door to it necessitates an alteration of the sound and legislated acts of worship and rites, and thus one receives a share of (the deeds of those) who legislate that which Allaah has not legislated. [Al-Fataawaa Al-Kubraa 2/239]

May Allaah open our hearts to that which is correct, grant us the desire to seek knowledge from its sound sources, even that is little, bless us with sincerity and the ability to act Aameen. And Allaah knows best.

Grave Worshippers of Today Have a Fair Share of The Shirk of Their Predecessors In The Previous Nations [i.e. The Grave Worshippers Amongst The Jews and Christians Who Went Astray After The Departure of Their Prophets] – By Imaam al-Aloosee

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imaam Al-Aloosee [May Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

It has been reported in a hadeeth whose authenticity is agreed upon by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim [that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)] said, “Indeed, you will follow the way of those before you, hand span by hand span, cubit by cubit, to the extent that if they entered into the hole of a lizard, you will enter it too”. [Al-Bukhaari 1397, Muslim 4822]

He [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] informed us that indeed there will be in his Ummah those who will follow the previous nations – the ignorant people amongst the people of the scriptures and other than them – hand span by hand span as has been explained in the hadeeth. There is no doubt that what he [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] informed us has occurred, because indeed he is As-Saadiq Al-Masdooq [the truthful one and the one believed in everything he says] and he does not speak out of his own desires. Certainly those who adhere to his guidance and follow that which has been established in his Sunnah are not the ones intended in this hadeeth due to that which is established (in the other) hadeeth regarding the sects, that these people are the Firqatun Naaji’yah [the saved sect] – those upon [i.e. adhering to] that which the Messenger and his companions adhered to. [End of quote. Ghaayah al-Amaanee Fee Radd Alan Nabahaanee 1/19-20] The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, ”My Ummah will divide into 73 sects, all of them will be in the fire except one, and that is the Jamaa’ah. It was said, ‘And who are they, O Allaah’s Messenger?’ He said, ‘That which I and my companions are upon today [i.e. at present]”’. [Tirmidhee 2641]

Therefore, it has to be the case that the people who follow the footsteps of the Jews and Christians are those who substitute and change (the religion), innovate in religious affairs and distort, imitate the previous nations in their actions and deeds, such as building tombs and mosques on the graves of their righteous people- invoking them during important events, during times when they face very painful situations and other than that (similar) to what the Jews, Christians and idol worshippers used to do. And amongst the extremists and innovators – the grave worshippers – there are those with the traits of the Jews, the Christians and the idol worshippers which attest to the fact that they follow their way hand span by hand span, cubit by cubit, and we shall mention some of this as a clear example of what we intend to point out.

Among their traits [i.e. those Jews and Christians who went astray after the departure of their Prophets, as well as the idol worshippers] is that they used to perform acts of worship whilst associating partners with Allaah- associated the righteous people as partners with Allaah in worship and considered it as a type of exalting the righteous people that is beloved to Allaah. Also their goal was to have their needs fulfilled and to be granted success through seeking the intercession of the righteous people, because they thought that the righteous people loved that they do so.

Indeed, the Qur’aan has informed us of this trait of theirs. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَٱعۡبُدِ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصً۬ا لَّهُ ٱلدِّينَ
أَلَا لِلَّهِ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡخَالِصُ‌ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ أَوۡلِيَآءَ مَا نَعۡبُدُهُمۡ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ زُلۡفَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحۡكُمُ بَيۡنَهُمۡ فِى مَا هُمۡ فِيهِ يَخۡتَلِفُونَ‌ۗ

Verily, We have sent down the Book to you (O Muhammad ) in truth: So worship Allah (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allah’s sake only, (and not to show-off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship). Surely, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allah only. And those who take Auliya’ (protectors and helpers) besides Him (say): “We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.” Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. [Surah Az-Zumar. 2-3]

The worship devoted by the idol worshippers to them was that they supplicated to them, sought their needs from them, sacrificed animals to them, vowed to them and made oaths to them. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَيَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَضُرُّهُمۡ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمۡ وَيَقُولُونَ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ شُفَعَـٰٓؤُنَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ – And they worship besides Allah things that hurt them not, nor profit them, and they say: “These are our intercessors with Allah]. [Surah Yunus. Aayah 18] [End of quote. Ghaayah Al-Amaanee Radd Alan Nabahaanee. 1/19-20]

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Some people invoke the inhabitant of a grave and others beseech him for help; some make vows to him and others seek assistance from him just as the Quraish pagans and other than them used to do during Al-Jaahiliyyah [i.e. during the period of pre-Islamic Ignorance], because they used to invoke Al-Uzza, Al-laat, Manaat and other idols, and likewise the polytheists-in every era-invoke their idols and those images they worship besides Allaah. They exalt them, invoke, seek assistance and blessings from them. This practice is a plot of shaytaan because what he eagerly wants to achieve is to distance people from the sound Islamic creed through every means. [End of quote. Awaamil Islaah Al-Mujtama’ah pages 1-27]

Invocation, vows, offering sacrifices etc are acts of worship and can only be carried out for Allaah alone, and not for graves, tombs, shrines and their dead inhabitants.

Ad-Du’aa: Invocation: “Your Lord says: O people, invoke Me and supplicate to Me making your worship sincerely for Me alone, and I will answer you, and pardon you and have mercy upon you. Indeed those who disdain to worship Me alone will enter Hell-Fire in disgrace. [Soorah Ghaafir. 60]

So the noble Aayah proves that invocation/supplication (du’aa) is worship, and if that were not the case it would not be said “those who disdain to worship Me alone….” So whoever called upon anyone besides Allaah[The Mighty and Majestic], requesting something which none but Allaah has power over, then he is a mushrik (one who worships others besides Allaah), an unbeliever (kaafir), whether the one he calls upon is living or dead. Whoever requests a living person for something which he is able to do, such as the saying: ‘O so and so give me food’ or ‘O so and so give me a drink,’ then there is no harm in that. But whoever asks a dead person or someone who is absent for that, then he is a mushrik, since the deceased or the absent cannot possibly do that. So in such a case his supplicating to them shows that he believes that they have some control over the creation, and he is therefore a mushrik. It must be noted that du’aa is of two types: (i) Supplication, when a request is made (du ‘aa-u mas’alah) and, (ii) invocation through worship (du’aa-u Ibaadah). So supplication is to request ones needs and is worship when the servant requests that from his Lord.

This is because it involves showing one’s poverty before Allaah [The Most High], and one’s need to turn to Him, and one’s certain faith that He is the one having full power, the Most Generous, the one who gives bounteously and is Most Merciful. Seeking one’s needs from someone else from the creation is permissible if the one to whom the request is made is able to hear and understand it, and has the power to respond to it, like the saying: ‘O so and so give me food.’ As for invocation through worship, then it is that the person does an act of worship seeking reward and fearing punishment, and this is not correct unless directed to Allaah alone. To direct this to anyone else besides Allaah is major shirk which takes a person out of the Religion, and he falls under the threat in the Saying of Allaah[Te Most High], “Your Lord says: O people, invoke Me and supplicate to Me making your worship sincerely for Me alone, and I will answer you, and pardon you and have mercy upon you. Indeed those who disdain to worship Me alone will enter Hell-Fire in disgrace.” [Soorah Ghaafir. 60]

Al- Isti’aanah-Appealing for aid and assistance: The evidence for this act of worship is the verse of the Qur’aan: “O Allaah You alone we worship, and to You alone we appeal for aid” [Soorah al-Faatihah. 5] and in the hadeeth there occurs: “If you seek help, then seek the help of Allaah.” [Reported by at-Tirmidhee and declared Saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaanee in al-Mishkaat (no.5302)]
Al-isti’aanah is to appeal for assistance, and it is of various types:

(i) Appealing for aid and assistance from Allaah – this is an appeal for aid and assistance that comprises complete humility of the servant before his Lord, and to submit and entrust the affair to Him, and to be certain that He is fully sufficient for him. This is not to be except for Allaah, the Most High, alone, and the evidence is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “O Allaah You alone we worship, and to You alone we appeal for aid.” [Soorah al-Faatihah]. The fact that this is to be for Allaah, the Most High, alone is shown by the fact that He mentions the word upon which the verb acts before the verb itself, and according to the principles of grammar of the Arabic language, in which the Qur’aan came down, bringing forward that which usually comes afterwards indicates restriction and particularisation. So directing this type to other than Allaah, the Most High, is shirk which takes a person out of the Religion.

(ii) Seeking the help of a person from the creation, in something which he is capable of helping in. Then this will be in accordance with the action in which help is sought. If it is a good action then it is permissible for the person to seek help upon it, and prescribed for a person to help in that, as Allaah [The Most High] says, “And assist one another upon righteous actions and avoidance of sins.” [Soorah Al-Maa’idah. Aayah 2]

If it is a sinful thing, then it is forbidden for the person doing it and for the one who assists, as Allaah, [The Most High] says, “And do not assist one another in abandoning what Allaah has commanded and upon transgressing the limits laid down in the Religion.” [Soorah al-Maa’idah. Aayah 2]

If it is something permissible, then it is allowed for the person to seek help and to be assisted, and the one who is helping may be rewarded for kind treatment and thus it becomes something prescribed for him as Allaah [The Most High] says, “And do good, indeed Allaah loves those who do good.” [Soorah al-Baqarah. Aayah 195]

(iii) Seeking the help of a person from the creation who is alive and present, except that it is something which he is incapable of, then this is futile and useless. For example that he seeks the help of a weak person in order to carry something very heavy.

(iv) Seeking the aid of any deceased person, or the aid of the living in a matter of the hidden and unseen, which they cannot reach. Then this is shirk since it will only be done by a person who believes that those whose help he seeks have some hidden control over the creation.

(v) Seeking help by performing deeds that are beloved to Allaah, the Most High. This is something that is prescribed due to the Saying of Allaah [The Most High], “And seek assistance through patience and Prayer.” [Soorah al-Baqarah. Aayah 45]

The author uses as evidence for the first type the Saying of Allaah [The Most High], “O Allaah You alone we worship, and to You alone we appeal for aid” [Soorah al-Faatihah Aayah 5], and the saying of the Prophet saying: “If you seek help then seek the help of Allaah”.

The evidence for seeking refuge (al-isti’aadhah) is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High: “Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the dawn” [Soorah al-Falaq. Aayah 1] and “Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind”.[Soorah an-Naas Aayah 1]

Al-Isti’aadhah-To seek refuge; which is to seek protection against that which one hates and involves seeking refuge and shelter and protection from someone, and is of various types:

(i) Seeking the refuge of Allaah, the Most High, and this involves ones complete need of Him, attachment to Him, and one’s certain faith in His being sufficient and His perfect protection from everything, whether in the present or the future, small or large, human or not, and the proof is the Sayings of Allaah, the Most High, “Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the dawn, from the evil of that which He created…” [Soorahal-Falaq. l-2] “Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind; the king of mankind; the one who is worshipped rightfully by mankind; from the evil of Satan who whispers into the hearts of mankind and then withdraws when they remember Allaah…” [Soorah an-Naas. 1-4]

(ii) Seeking refuge in one of Allaah’s attributes, such as His Speech, His Greatness, His Might, and so on. The evidence for this are his sayings: The Prophet said, “I seek refuge in the perfect Words of Allaah from the evil of that which He created” [Reported by Muslim (Eng. transl. 4/ 142l/no.654l)]. He said, “I seek refuge in Your Might that I should not be assailed from below” [Reported by Aboo Daawood (Eng. transl. 3/1408/no. 5056) and declared Saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawood (no. 4239)]. Also his saying in the supplication recited when suffering from pain, “I seek refuge in the Might and Power of Allaah from the evil of what I feel and am wary of.” [Reported by Muslim (Eng. transl. 3/1198/no. 5462) and Ibn Maajah (no. 3522)]. The Prophet said, “I seek refuge in Your Pleasure from Your Wrath” [Reported by Muslim (Eng. transl. l/255/no.986)]. His saying, when Allaah, the Most High, sent down His Saying: “Say He is the One fully able to send punishment upon you from above.” [Soorah al-An’aam (6):65] He said: “I seek refuge in Your Face.” [Collected by al-Bukhaaree (Eng. transl. 9/370/503)].

(iii) Seeking refuge either with the dead, or with living people who are not present and able to grant refuge, then this is shirk. In this regard Allaah, the Most High, says, “And there were men from mankind who used to seek refuge with men of the jinn, and so that only increased them in transgression.” [Soorah al-Jinn. Aayah 6]

Seeking shelter with some person or in some place, or the like, as long as it is something which can serve the purpose of providing shelter. Then this is permissible and the evidence is his saying, speaking about tribulations, “Whoever exposes himself to them will be destroyed by them, and whoever finds a place of shelter or refuge from them, then let him take shelter in it” [Reported by alBukhaaree (Eng. transl. vol. 9/p. 158/no.203) and Muslim (Eng. transl. 4/1495/no.6893)]. He also explained this place of shelter or refuge in his saying, “So whoever has camels should stick to his camels…“ [Reported by Muslim (Eng. transl. 4/1495-1496/no.6896)]. There also occurs in Saheeh Muslim (Eng. transl. 3/91 I/no.4190) from Jaabir that a woman from the tribe of Banoo Makhzoom stole something, so then she was brought to the Prophet and she sought refuge with Umm Salamah. He also reports in his Saheeh (Eng. transl. 4/ 1494/no.6996) from Umm Salamah, from the Prophet that he said: “A man will seek refuge in the House and an army detachment will be sent against him…” However if it is the case that someone is seeking refuge from the evil of an oppressor, then it is obligatory to shelter him and grant him refuge as far as is possible. But if he seeks refuge in order to help him to commit something forbidden, or to flee away from an obligation, then it is forbidden to shelter him.

Al-istighaathah -To seek rescue and deliverance from severe difficulty and destruction, and is of various types:

(i) Seeking deliverance and rescue from Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, is one of the most excellent and most perfect deeds, and it was the continual practice of the messengers and their followers. The evidence for it is what the Shaykh, rahimahullaah, mentioned, “When you sought aid and deliverance of your Lord and He responded to you that He was sending you a thousand angels in succession to assist you.” [Soorah al-Anfaal. Aayah 9]

This occurred at the battle of Badr when the Prophet saw the polytheists numbering a thousand men, whist his companions were a few more than three hundred and ten. So he entered the palm grove calling earnestly upon his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, raising up his hands and facing the qiblah, and saying: “O Allaah fulfil that which You have promised me. O Allaah if this small group who are the people of lslaam are destroyed you will not be worshipped upon the earth.” Then he continued calling upon his Lord earnestly, with his hands raised such that his cloak fell from his shoulders. So Aboo Bakr, radiyallaahu ‘anhu, took up his cloak and cast it back upon his shoulders and embraced him from behind and said: “O Prophet of Allaah, your earnest supplication to your Lord will be sufficient for you since he will fulfil what He has promised you,” so this Aayah was sent down. [Reported by Muslim (Eng. transl. 3/960/no.4360)]

(ii) Seeking rescue and deliverance, either from the dead or from those who are living but are not present and able to give aid and rescue, then this is shirk. This is so because it will not be done except by one who believes that those people have some unseen control over the creation, and they have therefore attributed to them a share of the Lordship that is for Allaah, the Most High, alone. Allaah, the Most High, says, “Or is that which you falsely worship along with Allaah better than He Who responds to the one in distress when he calls Him; who removes the harm; and who makes you to succeed those who came before you?! Is there anything that is worshipped besides Allaah that can do these things for you?! Little do you consider the greatness of Allaah and His favours upon you, and the clear proofs He has given you, so you therefore associate others in worship with Him.” [Soorah an-Naml (27):62]

(iii) Seeking aid and rescue from those who are alive, aware of the situation and capable of assistance and rescue. It is permissible to seek aid and rescue from them: Allaah, the Most High, says in the story of Moosaa: “So the man who was upon the same Religion as Moosaa sought the aid of Moosaa against his enemy the copt, so Moosaa struck him forcefully and killed him.” [Soorah al-Qasas. Aayah 15]

(iv) Seeking rescue and aid from a living person who is not capable of assisting him, without believing that he has some hidden power. For example that a drowning person calls for rescue from a person who is paralysed. This is futility and is a mockery of the one whom he seeks rescue from, and is therefore prohibited for this reason. A further reason for its prohibition is that anyone who saw him seeking rescue from the paralysed man may be deceived into thinking that the paralysed man must have some hidden power enabling him to rescue people.

Adh-dhabh- Sacrifice: The evidence is the ayah of the Qur’aan: “Say, O Muhammad, indeed my Prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all purely and solely for Allaah, Lord of all creation. There is no share of any of that for other than him.” [Soorah al-An’aam. 162-163]. Also the Prophet said: “Allaah has cursed anyone who sacrifices for other than Allaah” [Reported by Muslim (Eng. transl. 3/ 1093- 1094/no.4876)]

Sacrifice is to kill by spilling the blood of the animal in a particular manner, and is done for a number of reasons:

That it is done as an act of worship, such that he intends by it veneration of the one for whom he sacrifices, and intends it as an act of submission to him and a means of nearness to him. So this may not be done except for Allaah, the Most High, and has to be done in the manner which Allaah, the Most High, has prescribed. Directing it to other than Allaah is major shirk and the evidence (as mentioned by the author) is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “Say, O Muhammad, indeed my Prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all purely and solely for Allaah, Lord of all creation. There is no share of any of that for other than Him’ [Soorah al-An’aam (6):162-3]

(ii) That it is done out of hospitality for the guest, or for as wedding feast (waleemah) or the like, then this is something commanded, either as an obligation or a recommendation, as he said “Whoever truly believes in Allaah and the Last Day, then let him treat the guest honourably” [Reported by al-Bukhaaree (Eng. transl. 8/99/no. 156) and Muslim (Eng. transl. 3/935/no. 4286)]. He said to ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Auf, “Give a wedding, feast (waleemah) even if it is only with a single sheep” [Reported by al-Bukhaaree (Eng. transl. 7/72/no.96)]. (iii) That it is done to provide food charitably, or to sell the meat and so on, then this falls under that which is permissible and is in principle according to the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “Do those mushriks who worship others along with Allaah not see that We have created for them, from what our Hands have created, cattle which they are in charge of, and We have made the cattle subservient to them: so from them are those which they eat the meat of.” [Soorah Yaa Seen. 71-72] Furthermore, it may be something desirable or prohibited depending upon what it leads to.

An-nadhr- Vows: The evidence is the ayah: “They fulfil their vows and they fear a day whose evil is widespread”. [Soorah al-Insaan. 76-:77]

The Aayah is a proof since Allaah praises them for fulfilling their vows, which shows that Allaah loves that and every action that is beloved to Allaah is worship. This is further supported by the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “…they fear a day whose evil is widespread.” [Soorah al-Insaan. 7]
The fulfilling of vows which Allaah, the Most High, has praised are all acts of worship which Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, has obligated. This is because when a person starts any of the obligatory acts of worship, then he has become duty bound to fulfil and complete them. The proof for this is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “Then let them complete the duties of their hajj, and fulfil their vows (e.g. the sacrifice), and let them perform the tawaaf of ifaadah around the ancient House.” [Soorah al-Hajj 29]

Vows by which a person makes a pledge and thus obligates himself to do something or other, or makes some act of obedience to Allaah, that is not obligatory, binding upon himself, then this is disliked, and some of the scholars declared it to be forbidden. This is because the Prophet forbade making vows and said, “It does not bring good, it merely causes the miserly person to spend” [Reported by al-Bukhaaree (Eng. transl. 8/448/no.684) and Muslim (Eng. transl. 3/871/no.4019)]. Yet even so, if a person does go ahead and vow that he will do some act of obedience to Allaah, then it becomes obligatory upon him to perform it as the Prophet said, “Whoever vows to act in obedience to Allaah, then let him obey Him” [Reported by al-Bukhaaree (Eng. transl. 8/449/no.687)].

So in summary vows (an-nadhr) applies to the obligatory acts of worship in general, and to making vows in specific, which is that a person obliges himself to do something for the sake of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. The scholars divide the vow into various categories and these are laid out in the books of fiqh (details of Islamic law and regulations). [End of quote- Source: Explanation of the Three fundamental principles. (Translated by Shaikh Abu Talhah Dawud Burbank (may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife. Aameen)]

NB: Whoever directs the above acts of worship to others besides Allaah, then indeed he or she has committed major shirk [major polytheism] which expels a person from the fold of Islam but this is a general ruling. However, in order to declare a specific Muslim individual as one who has left the fold of Islaam due to him or her committing acts of major polytheism, this ruling cannot be given, except by a scholar. Regarding this affair, see the following links:

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/wwqny-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-muhammad-bin-abd-al-wahhaab.cfm
http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/wvnjp-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-abd-al-aziz-bin-baz.cfm
http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/obkwf-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan.cfm
http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/dkhtd-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-2.cfm
http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/gzrsz-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-3—takfir-of-the-raafidah.cfm
http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/illhh-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-4—takfir-of-the-raafidah.cfm
http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/uufmf-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-5.cfm
http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/uncnb-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-abd-al-muhsin-al-abbaad.cfm
http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/ecksy-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-rabee-bin-haadee.cfm

This is the greatest affair regarding which the Messenger opposed them [i.e. the idol worshippers], then he propagated sincerity [i.e. that all these acts of worship must be carried out for Allaah alone], informed them that this is the religion ordained by Allaah, that Allaah does not accept other than this from anyone and that the one who does what he deems to be good (i.e. carries out acts of worship by seeking the intercession of the righteous people through vows, invocation etc), then Allaah will forbid him from paradise and his final abode will be hellfire. This affair [i.e. sincerity – by directing all acts of worship to Allaah alone] is the religion in its entirety and due to it the people split into Muslims and disbelievers and enmity occured, and due to it Jihaad was legislated. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَقَـٰتِلُوهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتۡنَةٌ۬ وَيَڪُونَ ٱلدِّينُ ڪُلُّهُ – And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism: i.e. worshipping others besides Allah) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allah Alone]. [Surah Al-Anfaal. Aayah 39] [End of quote from Ghaayah Al-Amaanee Fee Radd Alan-Nabahaanee 1/19-20]

Jihaad: Read here:
Removing Misconceptions About Jihad in Islam (Part 1): Ibn Al-Qayyim on the Prophet Muhammad’s Call, Jihad and Compulsion in the Religion
http://www.shariah.ws/articles/fhahbmu-removing-misconceptions-about-jihad-in-islam-part-1.cfm
The Islamic Shariah on the Foundation of Muslim Relations With Non-Muslims Who Do Not Show Aggression and Hostility
http://www.shariah.ws/articles/szsumlh-the-foundation-of-muslim-relations-with-non-muslims-who-do-not-show-aggression-and-hostility.cfm
Shaykh Salih Al-Fawzan: The Islamic Shariah Provides Security for Muslims and Non-Muslims and Those Who Violate It Are Kharijites Who Are to Be Fought and Severely Punished
http://www.shariah.ws/articles/duviqgl-shaykh-salih-al-fawzan-the-islamic-shariah-provides-security–for-muslims-and-non-muslims-and-those-who-violate-it-are-kh257rijites-who-are-to-be-fought-and-severely-punished.cfm
Salafi Hadith Scholar Ahmad Shakir’s Thunderous Lightning Bolts Upon the Kharijite Terrorists Al-Ikhwan, Al-Qaidah and ISIS
http://www.shariah.ws/articles/xpsxcjq-salafi-hadith-scholar-ahmad-shakirs-thunderous-lightning-bolts-upon-al-ikhwan.cfm

It is well known that the extremists (amongst the grave worshippers) have a fair share from the traits of their predecessors [i.e. the grave worshippers amongst the jews, the Christians and the idol worshippers] and it is something witnessed. [Ghaayah Al-Amaanee Fee Radd Alan Nabahaanee 1/19-20]

Two Misconceptions of Some People Regarding Istikhaarah – [Visiting Astrologers and Soothsayers or Asking Others to Do Istikhaarah On Their Behalf]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

It is widespread amongst some people that Istikhaarah and seeking the best outcome in an affair is that one goes to the astrologers and soothsayers. This is in opposition to what is found in the Islamic legislation; rather Istikhaarah and seeking the best outcome in an affair is that one performs two optional Rak’ats and then supplicate with the legislated supplication. Jaabir Bin Abdillaah [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father] said, ”Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] used to teach us the way of doing Istikhaarah (i.e. the means to ask Allah to guide one to the right action concerning any job or a deed) in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Qur’an. He said, ‘If anyone of you wants to do any task [i.e. wants to decide on a matter], he should offer a two rak`ats other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer):

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلاَ أَقْدِرُ وَتَعْلَمُ وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي ـ أَوْ قَالَ عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ ـ فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي ـ أَوْ قَالَ فِي عَاجِلِ أَمْرِي وَآجِلِهِ ـ فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ، وَاقْدُرْ لِي الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ ـ قَالَ ـ وَيُسَمِّي حَاجَتَهُ

O Allaah! I seek the counsel through Your Knowledge, and I seek Power from Your Might, and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You (alone) know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this task (or affair) is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter- (or said, ‘If it is better for my present and later needs), then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, and then bless me in it. And if You know that this task (affair) is harmful to me in my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter-(or said, ‘If it is worse for my present and later needs’), then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, and make me satisfied with it’. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] added that then the person should mention his (or her) need [i.e. the affair or task]. [Bukhaari: 1162] [Ref 1]

Read here: Charms, Amulets and Talismans― Fortune-Tellers, Soothsayers and Astrologers in Light of the Quran and Sunnah:
https://www.abukhadeejah.com/charms-amulets-talismans-fortune-tellers-soothsayers-astrologers-quran-sunnah/

The Ruling on performing Istikhaarah for another person

Question to Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him]: Our sister asks, “Is it permissible for me to perform Istikhaarah for someone other than myself?”

Answer: I do not know of a proof regarding this; rather the Prophetic tradition has a narration that “If one of you wants to do any task [i.e. wants to decide on a matter], he should offer two rak`ats and then says, ”O Allaah…..[i.e. the supplication mentioned earlier – Bukhari 1162]. Therefore, what (is in conformity with) the Prophetic tradition is that the one who wants an affair and faces difficulty in making a decision is the one who performs the Istikhaarah. As for this person performing Istikhaarah for that person, I do not know of a basis for this (i.e. in the divine legislation); rather both a man and woman perform Istikhaarah individually and supplicate with the supplication. If one does not know the supplication that has been transmitted in the hadeeth, then one asks his Lord saying, [اللهم يسر لي الأصلح، اللهم اشرح صدري للأصلح الأحب إليك، لما فيه نفعي، لما فيه صلاحي – O Allaaah! Make easy for me the affair that is more upright (or carriers more wellbeing). O Allaah! Open my heart to that which is upright (or carries more wellbeing)- that which is more beloved to you, that which contains benefit for me and my wellbeing (uprightness)]. So, the person [i.e. the one who does not know the authentic supplication reported in the Prophetic tradition] supplicates with what is appropriate. [Ref 2]


[Ref 1: Al-Haqeeqatush Shar’iyyah Fee Tafseeril Qur’aanil Adheem Was-Sunnatin Nabawiyyah. Page 95]

[Ref2:https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/10634/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1. abridged and paraphrased]

The Ka’bah is a Temple or a Shrine – [Brief Rebuttal Against Foolish Speech of The Foolish]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: The basis of Banee Aadam’s misguidance is as a result of ‘General Terms’ and ‘Ambiguous Meanings’ [i.e. terms & meanings that can either be utilized for truth or falsehood when not explained in detail and distinguished], especially if they come in contact with a confused mind, then how about when (evil) desires and misguided enthusiasm is added to that? Therefore, ask the One Who keeps the hearts steadfast (i.e. Allaah) to keep your heart firm upon His Religion and not allow you to fall into this darkness. [Ref 1]

One of the general fundamental principles (in Islaam) is to know that words (or terms) are two types: Words that are mentioned in the Qur’aan and (authentic) Sunnah, therefore, it is obligated on every believer to affirm them – affirm what Allaah and His Messenger have affirmed, and negate what Allaah and His Messenger have negated. The words (or terms) affirmed by Allaah is truth and the ones Allaah negated are (negated) in truth, for indeed Allaah speaks the truth and guides to the straight path. The words (or terms) of the Sharee’ah are sanctified and it is from perfection in knowledge that one seeks after the (sound meanings) which the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasalam] intended by them, in order to affirm what he affirmed and negate the meanings he negated; for indeed it is obligated on us to believe and bear witness to everything he has stated and follow him in everything he has commanded. As for the words (or terms) that are neither found in the Qur’an and (authentic) Sunnah, nor did the pious predecessors hold a consensus regarding whether they are negated or affirmed, then it is not incumbent on anyone to agree with the one who negates them or affirms them until its intended meaning is explained. So, if its intended meaning agrees with the [revelation, commands, prohibitions etc] conveyed by the Messenger, it is affirmed; but if its intended meaning is in opposition to the [revelation, commands, prohibitions etc] conveyed by the Messenger, it is rejected. [Ref 2]

The Kabah is Neither a Shrine Nor a Teemple

The Kabah is neither a shrine nor a temple, rather Allaah called it Kabah, Baytul Ateeq and a Masjid. Why is it called Kabah? Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said that it is called Kabah because of its squared shape. Every building that is squared in shape and has four pillars is called kabah. [Ref 3] It is called Baytul Ateeq because it is very ancient, the best Masjid without exception. Freed from being captured by tyrants [Ref 4], [except during the end of time when it will be demolished by Dhul Suwayqatayn]. It is called Masjid Al-Haraam [i.e. the sacred Masjid (Ref 5)] and a Masjid is where none is to be invoked or prayed to besides Allaah. [Ref 6]

As for a temple, it is a religious building meant for worshipping or praying to a deity or deities [i.e. things people have initiated as deities besides Allaah- that have no power to harm or benefit, neither created anything nor can they raise the dead], such as Hindu temples are typically devoted to one specific god [i.e. amongst their numerous gods]. So, temples are places of worship for the followers of other religions – religions and creeds which Allaah has declared to be concocted, distorted or abrogated.

The sources of the Sound Islamic Creed can only be established through the Qur’aan and the (authentic) Sunnah. The creeds are two types – The creed revealed by Allaah and the creed initiated by the people. However, the sound and correct creed can only be from Allaah’s Wahi [the revelation sent down by Allaah in the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah]. Allaah [The Most High] informed us about Yoosuf [alayhis-salaam] that he said to his companions in the prison:

يَا صَاحِبَيِ السِّجْنِ أَأَرْبَابٌ مُتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيْرٌ أَمِ اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ; مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنْتُمْ وَآَبَاؤُكُمْ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ سُلْطَانٍ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible? You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not. [Soorah Yoosuf: Ayah: 39-40]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ اللَّاتَ وَالْعُزَّى (19) وَمَنَاةَ الثَّالِثَةَ الْأُخْرَى (20) أَلَكُمُ الذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ الْأُنْثَى (21) تِلْكَ إِذًا قِسْمَةٌ ضِيزَى (22) إِنْ هِيَ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءٌ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنْتُمْ وَآَبَاؤُكُمْ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ سُلْطَانٍ إِنْ يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى الْأَنْفُسُ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَهُمْ مِنْ رَبِّهِمُ الْهُدَى (23)

Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-‘Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs) And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third? Is it for you the males and for Him the females? That indeed is a division most unfair! They are but names which you have named, you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. [Soorah Najm: 19-23]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ شَرَعُوا لَهُمْ مِنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَنْ بِهِ اللَّهُ

Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed. [Soorah Ash-Shoorah: Ayah:21] [Ref 6.1]

Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَمَن يَبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمِ دِينً۬ا فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ – And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 85]

The Kabah is not a shrine

The late Mufti of Saudi Arabia Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Shrines are graves and the Prophetic tradition regarding this affair is that graves are to be raised a hand span from the ground, so that they are recognize as graves and not degraded. This is why in the hadeeth of Sa’d Bin Abee Waqqaas [radiyallaahu-anhu] it is reported that the grave of the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] was raised a hand span and Sa’d also gave orders that the same should be done to his grave. As for building over them, taking them as Masaajid (mosques, places of worship) and building domes, this is not permissible. According to the people of knowledge, this is evil, innovation in religion and one of the means to Shirk. And due to this the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] stated in an authentic hadeeth: “The curse of Allaah is upon the Jews and Christians [i.e. those Jews who deviated from the pure message of Moosaa and those Christians who deviated from the pure message of the Messiah], because they took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship”. And in a hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim, the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] forbade that graves should be plastered (made into permanent structures), used as sitting places and building over them. Therefore, it is not permissible to build over graves – neither mosques nor domes, nor other than them, and also they are not to be plastered, because indeed this is one of the means to Shirk – one of the means, because it becomes exalted, invoked besides Allaah and help sought from it, and thus shirk occurs. Building over graves- placing domes, mosques and lamps over them are from the means to Shirk, and this is why the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] warned against it and cursed those who do so. It is obligated on the Muslims to be warned against this and that they do not build over a grave – neither a Masjid nor other than it, neither a dome nor plastered, neither place lamps on them nor shrouded. All this is not permissible, rather it is from the means to Shirk…. [Ref 7]

Where Was The Grave of The Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] Initially?

Shaikh Abdul Waahid Abu Khadeejah [hafidhahullaah] stated as follows:

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/decisive-proofs-against-the-sufis-who-take-graves-as-places-of-worship-the-condemnation-of-the-one-who-worships-allah-at-the-grave-of-a-righteous-man-so-how-much-worse-is-the-one-who-actually-worsh/


Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah Alal Jahmiyyah Wal Mu’attilah’ – Vol 3. page 927. slightly paraphrased]
Ref 2: Mujam Al-Manaahee Lil-lafdhiyyah pages 10-17
Ref 3: https://binothaimeen.net/content/10706
Ref 4: See Tafseer As-Sadi. Surah Al-Hajj. Aayah 29 – the meaning of Baytul Ateeq
Ref 5: Surah Al-Baqarah Aayah 144
Ref 6: Tafseer As-Sadi. Surah Al-Jinn. Aayah 18

Ref 6.1: Madkhal Li-Diraasati Aqeedah Al-Islaamiyyah: lesson:2′ by Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him)]
Ref7: https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/16337/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%B1%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B1 paraphrased

Read a Statement of Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz and Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen Regarding Modern Science, And Then An Analysis By Shaikh Abu Iyaadh to Grasp Fully What Is Intended

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] said, “Indeed, that which is stated by the astronomers about the celestial bodies, their sizes and the distance between them, and that which is said about the earth (i.e. by the geologists etc) is categorized into three affairs: [a] That which is backed by the sound knowledge-based proofs, therefore it is accepted. [b] That which the knowledge-based proofs declares to be false, therefore it is rejected. [c] That which there is no proof to either accept or reject, therefore it is unproven until a person from the people of knowledge (i.e. upright people of knowledge scholars) examine it show whether it should be accepted or rejected. As for accepting it without investigation and observation, but merely accepting it by blindly following them (i.e. the astronomers, geologists etc), then this is impermissible because of the numerous mistakes that occur as a result of that and speaking -without knowledge – about Allaah and that which He has created [i.e. the entire universe and all that is within it]. [Ref 1]

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said, “We do not say, ‘We do not give consideration to anything stated by the people in the subject matter regarding medicine, astronomy and the celestial bodies’, however, we do not accept everything they say. If what they say opposes the Book and the Sunnah, then indeed we do not accept their statements. We take [i.e. believe and affirm without any doubt] that which is conveyed in the Book and the Sunnah, and we say, ‘An era will come in which the people will bear witness to the falsity of those statements of theirs – at present – that are in opposition to the Book and Sunnah and (bear witness) to the soundness of that which has been conveyed in the Book and the Sunnah. [Ref 2]

Brothers and sisters, the after reading the above two statements, then read the following article by Shaikh Abu Iyaadh [hafidhahullaah]. Indeed, the statement of both Imaams will be very clear to you by way of the analysis given by Shaikh Abu Iyaadh [hafidhahullaah] on this link: Understanding the Two Definitions of ‘Science’ in Operation (aboutatheism.net)

May Allaah have mercy upon the scholars of the Ummah who have passed away, preserve those who are alive, protect all the upright students of knowledge and guide those who have deviated from the right path Aameen.


[Ref 1: An Excerpts from ‘Al-Adillah An-Naqliyyah Wal-Hissiyyah Alaa Imkaanis Su’ood Ilal Kawaakib Wa Alaa Jarayaan Ash-Shams Wal-Qamar Wa Sukoon Al-Ard’ page 74. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An excerpt from the ‘Explanation of Bulooghul Maraam’ Vol 1. page 130] [May Allaah reward our Ustaadh, friend and companion –  Abu Tasneem Mushaf Al-Banghaalee- who sent us the Arabic text of Shaikh Uthaymeen’s speech. Aameen]

 

 

The Origin of Our Father [Aadam] And The Stages of Our Existence In The Wombs – Prior to Our Non-Existence – Is Clear Evidence Regarding The Resurrection

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ۬ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطۡفَةٍ۬ ثُمَّ جَعَلَكُمۡ أَزۡوَٲجً۬اۚ وَمَا تَحۡمِلُ مِنۡ أُنثَىٰ وَلَا تَضَعُ إِلَّا بِعِلۡمِهِۚۦ وَمَا يُعَمَّرُ مِن مُّعَمَّرٍ۬ وَلَا يُنقَصُ مِنۡ عُمُرِهِۦۤ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍۚ إِنَّ ذَٲلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ۬

And Allah did create you (Adam) from dust, then from Nutfah (male and female discharge semen drops i.e. Adam’s offspring), then He made you pairs. And no female conceives or gives birth, but with His Knowledge. And no aged man is granted a length of life, nor is a part cut off from his life, but is in a Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz) Surely, that is easy for Allah. [Surah Al-Faatir. Aayah 11]

Allah [The Exalted] mentions the manner in which He created the human being and made him go through these stages- from dust (i.e. Aadam), then a drop of semen (i.e. all other people created from semen) and the other stages thereafter. [ثُمَّ جَعَلَكُمۡ أَزۡوَٲجً۬اۚ  – Then He made you pairs]- Meaning, Allaah continued alternating you from one stage to another until He made you into male and female- males marrying females. And the intent behind marriage is to have offspring and children, however even though marriage is one of the means of having children, but it is attached to Allaah’s decree and knowledge. [وَمَا تَحۡمِلُ مِنۡ أُنثَىٰ وَلَا تَضَعُ إِلَّا بِعِلۡمِهِۚۦ – And no female conceives or gives birth, but with His knowledge]-Meaning, all the stages of life of the human being is confined within Allaah’s Knowledge and decree.  [وَمَا يُعَمَّرُ مِن مُّعَمَّرٍ۬ وَلَا يُنقَصُ مِنۡ عُمُرِهِۦۤ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍۚ   –  And no aged man is granted a length of life, nor is a part cut off from his life, but is in a Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz)]- Meaning, none lives a long life except that the affair is confined within Allaah’s Knowledge or no person’s life is shortened except due to doing that which shortened it. What is meant is that a long or short life, whether due to cause or not, then all of that is confined within Allaah’s knowledge and recorded in the book [Al-Lauh Al-Mhfuz] that includes everything that will happen to a person- at all times and throughout his life. [إِنَّ ذَٲلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ۬ – Surely, that is easy for Allah]- Meaning, Allaah’s knowledge encompasses all this numerous information and His register encompasses all of it.

These three proofs are from the proofs regarding the resurrection and they are all intellectual (rational) proofs, which Allaah notified us in these Aayaat, namely: revival of the earth after its death- the one who gives life to the earth will give life to the dead [Aayah 9] and the alternation of the human being in different stages [Aayah 11]. The One [Allaah] Who brought the human being into existence – from one stage to the other, one state to another until he reached the stage that is decreed for him- is more able to return him to the same state and raise him again, and that is easy for Allaah. Allaah’s knowledge encompasses all aspects of knowledge in the heavens and in the earth- small and big, in the hearts, regarding the foetuses that are in the wombs, the increase and decrease in the lifespans and the recording of all of that in the Al-lauh al-Mahfooz. The one whose description is as such, then returning the person back to life is easier. So blessed be Allaah, the one whose good is abundant and He notified his slaves about that which carries wellbeing and uprightness for them in their worldly life and afterlife.

[Except from Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

 

The One Who Sends Water to Revive The Dead Earth Is The One Who Will Resurrect Humankind And Jinn After Their Death!

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Reflection On Surah Al-Faatir

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

 وَاللَّهُ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ الرِّيَاحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَسُقْنَاهُ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ مَّيِّتٍ فَأَحْيَيْنَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ النُّشُورُ

And it is Allah Who sends the winds, so that they raise up the clouds, and We drive them to a dead land, and revive therewith the earth after its death. As such (will be) the Resurrection! [Surah Al-Faatir. Aayah 9]

Allaah informs us of His perfect power and vast generosity – that He sends the winds, so that they raise up the clouds, drive them to a dead land and revive the dead land therewith; a source of life for the people, the animals are provided with sustenance and enjoy that good. Likewise, the one who revive the earth after its death will resurrect the dead from their graves after they had been dust. He will send rain upon them just as He sends it upon a dead land, so it falls on them, the bodies and souls return back to life from their graves and come to stand in the presence of Allaah to judge between them based on His just ruling. [Ref 1]

 

Allaah [The Most High] said:

إِن كُلُّ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَّا آتِي الرَّحْمَٰنِ عَبْدًا

لَّقَدْ أَحْصَاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا

وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَرْدًا

There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) as a slave. Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting. And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection. [19:93-95]

[وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَرْدًا – And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection]- Meaning, without children, wealth and helpers – nothing with him [i.e. the person –male and female] except his (or her) deeds, so Allaah will recompense him (or her) and give him (her) a full account. And if (his or her deeds are) good, they receive good, and if evil, they receive evil, just as Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَلَقَدْ جِئْتُمُونَا فُرَادَىٰ كَمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ  – And truly you have come unto Us alone (without wealth, companions or anything else) as We created you the first time]. [6:94] [Ref 2]

 

What Are Righteous Deeds

Imaam Shanqeetee [rahimahullaah) said: Indeed, the great Qur’aan has clarified that a righteous deed is that which accomplishes three affairs, and when one of them is not present its performer will not be benefitted on the day of Judgement.

The first affair: The (deed) has to be accordance with what the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi wasallam) was sent with. That is because Allaah (The Most High) stated: [ وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا – And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)]. [Soorah Al-Hashar: Ayah: 7]

Allaah (The Most High) said: [مَّن يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ – He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad), has indeed obeyed Allah]. [Nisaa: Ayah: 80]

Allaah (The Most High) said: [ قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي – Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allah then follow me].’[Aal Imraan: Ayah: 31]

Allaah (The Most High) said: [أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ شَرَعُوا لَهُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَن بِهِ اللَّهُ – Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed. [Soorah Ash-Shooraa: Ayah: 21]

The second affair: The (deed) is to be carried out sincerely for the sake of Allaah. That is because Allaah (The Most high) stated:  [وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ – And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him)]. [Soorah Al-Bayyinah: Ayah: 5]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

[قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّينَ

وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

قُلْ إِنِّي أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّي عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

قُلِ اللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ دِينِي

Say (O Muhammad): ‘Verily, I am commanded to worship Allah (Alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for Allah’s sake only and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship; “And I am commanded (this) in order that I may be the first of those who submit themselves to Allah (in Islam) as Muslims.” Say (O Muhammad): “Verily, if I disobey my Lord, I am afraid of the torment of a great Day.” Say (O Muhammad) “Allah Alone I worship by doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only and not to show-off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship.” [Soorah Az-Zumar: Ayah: 11-14]

The third affair: The (deed) has to be founded upon a sound creed.   Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِنَ الصَّالِحَاتِ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ – And he who works deeds of righteousness, while he is a believer (in Islamic Monotheism)]. Therefore, Allaah, (tied) the (deed of the doer and the condition of its acceptance), saying:  ‘’While he (i.e. performer) is a believer’’.[Soorah Taahaa: Ayah: 112]

And (The Most High) stated regarding the deeds of those who (do not believe I Allaah and His final Messenger (sallal-lal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)]:

وَقَدِمْنَا إِلَىٰ مَا عَمِلُوا مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ هَبَاءً مَّنثُورًا

And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust.’’ [Soorah Al-Furqaan: Ayah: 23]

And Allaah (The Most High) said: [أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا النَّارُ ۖ وَحَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُوا فِيهَا وَبَاطِلٌ مَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ – They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire; and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do. [Soorah HUD: Ayah: 16]. And other than it from the Aayaat (of the Qur’aan) [Ref 3]


[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from Al-Ismaamu Deenu Kaamilu page: 7. slightly paraphrased]